Montrose History

Montrose was known as Dad's Town, Pomona, and Uncompahgre Town before it finally became known as Montrose in 1881-82. The name comes from the title character in Sir Walter Scott’s novel, "The Legend of Montrose." It was originally founded as a supply post for nearby mining communities, but transformed into an agricultural hub as the mining industry declined. The construction of the Gunnison Tunnel in 1909 helped facilitate this transformation as it provide vital irrigation water from the Gunnison River to the Uncompahgre Valley.